City: Incline Village, NV

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (775) 832-1616, (800) 747-4697

Description: Shakespeare might be astonished to see his classic works performed on the shore of North America’s largest alpine lake, but somehow the richness of productions like Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night is enhanced by the awesome beauty of the outdoor venue. The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival has enjoyed robust success since its founding in 1978 and in 1999 was named one of the “Top 100 Festivals in North America” by Destinations magazine. Although the setting is laid-back and natural, a night at the festival offers much of the pageantry found in a traditional theater, from the call of the trumpets signaling the start of the performance to the colorful Shakespearean banners decorating the entrance. The performances are further enhanced by the comprehensive new stage with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. With a first-class setting and a first-rate performance, only fine wining and dining can complete the picture. You can bring your own gourmet picnic or choose from a wide variety of delicacies offered for sale at the park. For maximum comfort bring beach chairs (they must be the low-back, short-legged type) or consider renting them for $3. And because the temperature drops rapidly after the sun goes down, be sure to bring a sweater or jacket to avoid getting cold. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m., but theatergoers begin arriving earlier to enjoy dining with a world-class view. Because it’s dark when the performance ends around 10:00 p.m., remember to bring a flashlight to help you find your car afterward. The festival takes place the last five weeks of the summer before Labor Day. Reserved seating is $67 to $72 and guarantees comfortable wood-frame chairs directly in front of the stage. General admission is around $22 to $27 and is open seating. If you suspect a performance may be canceled because of rain, be sure to call on the day you plan to attend. (See also the Annual Events chapter.) The cast for the festival is provided by The Foothill Theatre Company, which also hosts a Shakespeare Camp for children 8 to 16 years old. Students from all over the country learn set and costume design, acting, makeup, and character design at the one- and two-week sessions in August.